Tom Boonen quits Tour de France

Tom Boonen did not start today’s stage of the Tour de France to Verbier, complaining of stomach problems.

“After yesterday’s stage, in the evening I wasn’t feeling well,” said Boonen. “Last night, around three in the morning, I had to get out of bed. I started to throw up and sleep was no longer an option.”

“I wanted to start [today] but even on the way from the hotel I kept throwing up and I’ve got the fever. I had no energy and I couldn’t eat. I’m really sad that I have to leave the Tour and the team in this way, but I just couldn’t go on. It’s probably the same virus I came down with a few days from the beginning of the Tour in Monaco.”

The move compounded Boonen’s miserable Tour, one in which he has barely been visible. His best result was on stage 11 to Saint-Fargeau, and even then he could only manage 16th.

All this after the former green jersey winner had taken race organiser ASO to court in order for him to start.

ASO had originally said that the Belgain would not be welcome at their race after he tested positive for cocaine in an out of competition drugs test earlier this spring.

But Boonen challenged the decision in the French courts, eventually winning and being given the all-clear to ride just one day before the start in Monaco on July 4.

He had been replaced by team-mate Allan Davis for the team presentation on the Thursday before the race, and the team may now be wishing they had kept the Australian in the starting line up.